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How Does A Battery Work?

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How Does A Battery Work?

What is a battery?

Batteries are a collection of one or more cells whose chemical reactions create a flow of electrons in a circuit. All batteries are made up of three basic components: an anode (the '-' side), a cathode (the '+' side) and some kind of electrolyte (a substance that chemically reacts with the anode and cathode).

All batteries are made up of three basic components: an anode (the '-' side), a cathode (the '+' side) and some kind of electrolyte (a substance that chemically reacts with the anode and cathode).  

Parts of a battery

The answer to “what is inside a battery?” starts with a breakdown of what makes a battery a battery.  

Container steel can house the cell’s ingredients to form the cathode, a part of the electrochemical reaction.  

Cathode: A combination of manganese dioxide and carbon, cathodes are the electrodes reduced by the electrochemical reaction.  

Separator: Non-woven, fibrous fabric that separates the electrodes.  

Anode: Made of powdered zinc metal, anodes are electrodes that are oxidized.  

Electrolyte: Potassium hydroxide solution in water, the electrolyte is the medium for the movement of ions within the cell. It carries the iconic current inside the battery.  

Collector: Brass pin in the middle of the cell that conducts electricity to the outside circuit.

 

 

Container steel can house the cell’s ingredients to form the cathode Cathode: Cathodes are the electrodes reduced by the electrochemical reaction. Separator: Non-woven, fibrous fabric that separates the electrodes. Anode: Anodes are electrodes that are oxidized. Electrolyte: Potassium hydroxide solution in water, the electrolyte is the medium for the movement of ions within the cell. Collector: Brass pin in the middle of the cell that conducts electricity to the outside circuit.  

Working Principle of battery

A battery works on the oxidation and reduction reaction of an electrolyte with metals. When two dissimilar metallic substances, called electrodes, are placed in a diluted electrolyte, oxidation and reduction reaction take place in the electrodes respectively depending upon the electron affinity of the metal of the electrodes. As a result of the oxidation reaction, one electrode gets negatively charged called cathode and due to the reduction reaction, another electrode gets positively charged called anode.

A battery works on the oxidation and reduction reaction of an electrolyte with metals. When two dissimilar metallic substances, called electrodes, are placed in a diluted electrolyte, oxidation and reduction reaction take place in the electrodes respectively depending upon the electron affinity of the metal of the electrodes.

Types of Batteries and advantages

  1. Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
  2. Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
  3. Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
  4. Li-Po batteries (Li-po)

Advantages (Lithium Ion)

  • High energy density - potential for yet higher capacities.
     
  • Does not need prolonged priming when new. One regular charge is all that is needed.
     
  • Relatively low self-discharge - self-discharge is less than half that of nickel-based batteries.
     
  • Low Maintenance - no periodic discharge is needed; there is no memory.
     
  • Specialty cells can provide very high current to applications such as power tools.
 

Limitations

  • Requires protection circuit to maintain voltage and current within safe limits.
     
  • Subject to aging, even if not in use - storage in a cool place at 40% charge reduces the aging effect.
     
  • Transportation restrictions - shipment of larger quantities may be subject to regulatory control. This restriction does not apply to personal carry-on batteries.
     
  • Expensive to manufacture - about 40 percent higher in cost than nickel-cadmium.
     
  • Not fully mature - metals and chemicals are changing on a continuing basis.